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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

All of the engines we’ve driven in the BMW 1 Series so far are impressive, with a good blend of performance and efficiency.

Which one you should choose depends largely on whether you’re a private buyer or a company car driver. The sub-120g/km CO2 emissions of the 118d qualify it for low Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates, but the star of the show for low running costs is the 99g/km 116d Efficient Dynamics model. Meanwhile, the lower list price of the 116i makes it the sensible choice for private buyers who don’t do a silly amount of miles.

Entry-level ES trim is probably best avoided, but SE models come with Bluetooth and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system – but not sat-nav, which is a pricey option on all models. M Sport trims make the 1 Series look and feel a bit sportier. We wouldn’t bother with Sport and Urban models because they’re a bit too expensive.